SHALLOTTE—The traffic barrels and cones won’t be gone by the holiday weekend, but traffic will be cruising in a new traffic pattern.

In what is being called by North Carolina Department of Transportation officials as the “final traffic pattern,” traffic in Shallotte will once again be navigating new terrain. The new portion of the Smith Avenue Extension connecting Smith Avenue to N.C. 130 will officially open late Thursday evening/early Friday morning and be ready for the holiday weekend.

Connie Hare is hoping someone has seen Riley, her beloved boxer/pit bull dog who disappeared from her yard near Hickmans Crossroads last Wednesday.

“I’m her mother,” Hare said Tuesday. “It has been so hard without my baby. I just want her home.”

Hare and her fiancé, Ken Bellamy, have been scouring the woods and countryside near their home on Highway 57 ever since Riley left the yard. Hare said it was out of character for Riley, who preferred to stay in the house, to do that.

SUNSET BEACH—A thief returned a cell phone after the device was repeatedly called and then texted.

Sunset Beach Deputy Chief Steve Smith said the phone, valued at $700, was reported stolen after its owner accidentally left it at the checkout counter at Food Lion on June 22. The man went to his car, realized he had left his cell phone behind and immediately returned to the store to retrieve it only to learn it was gone.

SUNSET BEACH—Town council officially adopted a $5.8 million budget for fiscal year 2011-2012, which takes effect this coming Friday, July 1, and calls for a 10.5-cent ad valorem tax rate per $100 of valuation.

According to a statement and figures issued by town budget officer Donna Rogers, the revenue-neutral rate for the town would be 12.5 cents based on general property reappraisal for the town. The rate that was adopted represents an increase from the property tax rate of 9 cents for fiscal year 2010-2011.

Former Sunset Beach Chief Building Inspector Jeff Curtis has resigned a state board and surrendered certificates earned over the years.

Curtis has resigned his seat on the state Code Officials Qualification Board effective immediately, according to Kerry Hall, spokesperson for the North Carolina Department of Insurance and Office of State Fire Marshal.

Hall said Curtis also surrendered all of his certificates qualifying him for building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing and fire inspections work as of July 1.

The Fourth of July is being celebrated with all the bells, whistles and fireworks.

The annual Ocean Isle Beach POA Fourth of July parade gets under way at 10 a.m. Monday.

The North Carolina Fourth of July Festival Parade is set for 11 a.m. in Southport, accompanied by all-day food vendors, arts and crafts, and other events (see www.nc4thofjuly.com). Fireworks are at 9 p.m.